I opposed the city straining to advance millions of dollars for traffic mitigation costs attributable to the all-but-abandoned Annex part of the project. I considered it imprudent for Atascadero to risk $2 million or more (if Caltrans requires widening the freeway overpass, $7 million to $8 million) based on a hope of recouping it from still-non-existent developers of another, large-scale development in that area.

But my fiscal conservatism was not shared by my fellow Atascadero planning commissioners or the City Council members, who all voted to advance the funds.

Though my position is unchanged, other opinions exist, and reasonable minds may differ. More importantly, the democratic process governs this matter.

With a clear majority having repeatedly supported this project, directly and through their representatives, it is unfair and inappropriate for a few to frustrate the will of the many.

Out of respect for the process and the positions of their fellow citizens, Save Atascadero should back off, once and for all. It is in our community’s interest to move on.